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Haha! Whoopsie - I tried to post replies in yesterday's thread, just as it was being closed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadjineh

I say buy as lean as you can enjoy/manage - why eat hidden fat when you can have leaner meat and add yummy stuff like avocado, nuts, mayo, or full fat cheeses and higher fat yogourts.
I buy ground buffalo - which is so lean I usually have to add oil to the pan if I don't get juicy veggies/other liquids in there quick or it sticks & burns, lol. It does make it hard to brown without ruining it. I am not sure what the percentage actually is but due to the nature of the beast - it's pretty darn lean...

Liana

Thanks for your feedback! I'm looking forward to maintenance when I can add back some of those higher-fat goodies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipnDip

I've used both lean and extra lean beef at least once a week and I don't feel it has made a difference. My DH does not like when I go the extra lean route

Thanks! I have been cooking my meals apart from my family's meals, but raising the fat just a bit would probably widen my options.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLUS

I think you are safe to go back to the slightly less lean... Especially since you are only eating it once per week. In fact, sometimes when people post their losses are slowing and their menu is almost all chicken and fish, we encourage them to add in a little "fattier" meat once a week or do. Almost always gets things going again! A nice steak or burger can be very satisfying and helpful!

Thank you! I've been happy with my losses, but I'm only one month in... I'd like to keep the scale moving down if I can. I'm glad to know that a bit of extra fat might keep things moving along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by readytolive

Last time I did IP, I got ground sirloin 93/7 ratio and lost consistently. I needed that bit of fat in the meat and really don't think it made a difference in my weight loss. I'll be using that again.

Thanks! I'm glad to hear from those who have been here before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa32989

Since most folks asking questions in the chat are P1, they can't have many of the items listed that are only okay for maintenance.

But, regarding the original question, I say get what you'll eat. We all have different tastes. 95% is probably fine. If you're adding oil to meat, you might as well have the fat IN it, if that is what you like better.

I buy my meats from a local grass fed/finished farm. She only has one grind of ground beef. I've not asked what % fat it is but I managed to lose 90 lbs eating it! I am not at all a fan of ground poultry. I never used it. I have also purchased ground bison & mixed it with other ground meats for meatballs.

Again, I say get what you'll eat. You're going to be on P1 for a long time, like I was. It doesn't have to be all dry meats you don't enjoy. I do a LOT of cooking meat with other vegetables for moisture and flavor. It is essential to find ways to make meals you like, otherwise you'll be looking for excuses.

Although fats are limited on IP, more and more research is showing that "we" got too fat phobic and it has caused more health problems than the actual fat did. During P1, I had days I made sure I only had 1 tsp oil (from the 1-2) because I was eating a fattier meat. Some folks even reported having a good steak once per week HELPED with weight loss, rather than hurting it.

Thanks for your help. I'm absolutely looking at this as a long term thing... I think I'll go back to the slightly higher fat meat once in a while. I think it will make things a bit more bearable in the long run.

Good morning. Only 4 more days of class left!! Of course I still have 14 days until my last day of work, but 5 of those are weekends and Memorial day! So 4 class days, 9 work days and then FREEDOM! Not only freedom from work but I only have 2 more papers to write for my degree and they will be done around the same time!!! The light at the end of this long tunnel is shining bright!

__________________
[

Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever - Gandhi

I just had a glass half filled with decaf and half filled with a Syntrax Nectar sample - chocolate truffle. I also added a few cubes of ice and an ounce of skim. It was tasty, but not as thick as I would prefer. I'm trying to get up the nerve to try the spinach shake I've read about here - anyone have any tips/suggestions?

Today will be a good day. I will stay 100% OP because anything less is just cheating myself out of the promise of a healthy body that I don't want to hide with big clothes. I found some older pictures of me from this time last year, and I was horrified as to how big I was. And it wasn't even at my worst.

My worst (and the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back) was in July last year: My son turned six at the end of July, and to celebrate, I met family at our lake house in VA. My son asked me to get in the water with him, and I was not going to deny his wish - he has no idea about my body issues, and I didn't want to disappoint him. I was wearing a bathing suit in a size 16 - the largest size I ever bought or wore. Getting IN the lake was easy. I just climbed DOWN the stairs off the dock. We had a lovely time swimming and playing. When it came time to get out, however, I thought I was going to need someone to litteraly pull me up - I was so fat, I couldn't put my foot on the first step to begin my ascent! I was mortified. I felt the full impact of my weight that day. And that was the day I decided I HAD to lose weight. Now, mind you, I was supposed to lose weight due to a physical condition that could cause me to lose my eyesight if I didn't slim down, but I was "too busy" to deal with the complications of a diet (my prior experience being WW). But, that day at the lake, feeling like I belonged in a New Yorker magazine cartoon, THAT was my tipping point.

I'm not sure why I was compelled to share that this morning, but my apologies if this was the wrong place to share it.

Good morning. Only 4 more days of class left!! Of course I still have 14 days until my last day of work, but 5 of those are weekends and Memorial day! So 4 class days, 9 work days and then FREEDOM! Not only freedom from work but I only have 2 more papers to write for my degree and they will be done around the same time!!! The light at the end of this long tunnel is shining bright!

Before starting IP I drank a lot of diet coke, like 2 to 3 large fountain ones a day. I am surprised that after a week and a half on IP I am not missing the diet coke. Although I do miss a glass of wine in the evening

Today will be a good day. I will stay 100% OP because anything less is just cheating myself out of the promise of a healthy body that I don't want to hide with big clothes. I found some older pictures of me from this time last year, and I was horrified as to how big I was. And it wasn't even at my worst.

My worst (and the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back) was in July last year:... But, that day at the lake, feeling like I belonged in a New Yorker magazine cartoon, THAT was my tipping point.

I'm not sure why I was compelled to share that this morning, but my apologies if this was the wrong place to share it.

This is exactly the right place to share that story. It's so hard to face up to the fact that our weight is out of control and when we do it is just gut wrenching sometimes. Good for you for taking charge and being determined to do something about it!

I know that for many years I just avoided really looking at myself or at pictures of me. You know the "I don't look that bad... the camera angle was wrong." Like there is a good camera angle when you are very short and very fat. I think recognizing the issue, deciding to do something about it and then actually doing it is the hardest part of losing weight. Once your brain is in the "I will do this" place, the rest kind of falls in place (not that it's always easy!).

Good Morning All
I had my 4th weigh in yesterday and lost 0 lbs but I did lose 3 inches. I have read on here that this sometimes happens in the 4 or 5 weeks. I did add restricted bars last week, they were really good so I had one every night. Not sure if this had anything to do with not losing any weight. I am not going to have any restricted foods this week to see if they higher carbs are a problem for me. I did lose 3 inches so I know this is working!!

Good Morning!
My scale tells me I lost again this morning, but I'm having a WI and speaking to my coach this afternoon!!! Wish me luck.
My question to you would be, where can I find the FAQ on alternative products? I've searched but...
Thank you in advance.

I found some older pictures of me from this time last year, and I was horrified as to how big I was. And it wasn't even at my worst.

My worst (and the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back) was in July last year: My son turned six at the end of July, and to celebrate, I met family at our lake house in VA. My son asked me to get in the water with him, and I was not going to deny his wish - he has no idea about my body issues, and I didn't want to disappoint him. I was wearing a bathing suit in a size 16 - the largest size I ever bought or wore. Getting IN the lake was easy. I just climbed DOWN the stairs off the dock. We had a lovely time swimming and playing. When it came time to get out, however, I thought I was going to need someone to litteraly pull me up - I was so fat, I couldn't put my foot on the first step to begin my ascent! I was mortified. I felt the full impact of my weight that day. And that was the day I decided I HAD to lose weight. Now, mind you, I was supposed to lose weight due to a physical condition that could cause me to lose my eyesight if I didn't slim down, but I was "too busy" to deal with the complications of a diet (my prior experience being WW). But, that day at the lake, feeling like I belonged in a New Yorker magazine cartoon, THAT was my tipping point.

I'm not sure why I was compelled to share that this morning, but my apologies if this was the wrong place to share it.

zephyr- Ruth Ann is correct about it being OK to share. It is important to have a safe place to work through this entire journey. Getting to understand HOW we got to our highest weight may help us avoid the round trip back.

The denial of size was a huge thing for me as well. I was waaaay up there weight-wise and was clueless. I knew the number but my brain never properly translated that into a true picture of how I looked, how big that really was.

I saw a picture of myself at a family gathering after my mother's death and I was stunned. My face was big and round and red and I looked as if I could play lineback for a pro football team. There was nothing attractive or cute or healthy about it. I try to keep that picture in the forefront of my mind so that I never go back there.

Good Morning All
I had my 4th weigh in yesterday and lost 0 lbs but I did lose 3 inches. I have read on here that this sometimes happens in the 4 or 5 weeks. I did add restricted bars last week, they were really good so I had one every night. Not sure if this had anything to do with not losing any weight. I am not going to have any restricted foods this week to see if they higher carbs are a problem for me. I did lose 3 inches so I know this is working!!

Yesterday at work i started to feel the worst back pain heart birn and pains in my stomach.. i went to the ER after work it was that bad. So I have a abscess infection in my small intestine that luckily they wont have to do surgery which on sicker less healthy people they would. So they will pumping me with antibiotics to treat it... They are going to keep me a couple days to treat and monitor. :/ no food or water everything will be though IV blahhhh... Luckily they do not connect it to my new ideal protein diet. Down side is I may miss my 1st weigh in on Saturday . On my scale at home yesterday I was down 4 so at least I WAS on the right path..

Yesterday at work i started to feel the worst back pain heart birn and pains in my stomach.. i went to the ER after work it was that bad. So I have a abscess infection in my small intestine that luckily they wont have to do surgery which on sicker less healthy people they would. So they will pumping me with antibiotics to treat it... They are going to keep me a couple days to treat and monitor. :/ no food or water everything will be though IV blahhhh... Luckily they do not connect it to my new ideal protein diet. Down side is I may miss my 1st weigh in on Saturday . On my scale at home yesterday I was down 4 so at least I WAS on the right path..